That is where Otago were tested the most by Northland in their 30-15 win last week and it will be a key area for improvement when Otago faces Taranaki in another must-win game at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.
"We were obviously challenged a wee bit at the breakdown," assistant coach Ben Smith said yesterday.
"Northland sort of really came hard in that area, so that was something that had to deal with.
"Obviously, a really tough opposition, but happy that we came away with a much-needed win, and there’s a few lessons that will serve us well going into this weekend."
But there were still a bunch of positives to take from last week’s performance, and that momentum is what Otago needs to carry through today.
"I think he’s [Faleafaga] really growing each week and he’s starting to really run our game quite well," Smith said.
"He’ll keep getting better over the next few weeks and just excited to see guys like that get an opportunity to play the kind of footy that he is at the moment."
Co-captain Sam Gilbert was influential in his first game back from his hamstring injury, driving the team around the park, setting up tries and slotting 15 points with the boot.
"[Sam] gives a lot of people around him a lot of confidence in the way he communicates and he’s a player in our team that’s got a lot of respect.
"He quickly got back into the swing of things, obviously with his goal kicking ... and the way he influenced the game gave us what we needed to get the result we were after."
Otago will be after that and more against Taranaki.
After starting the season on the front foot, the Bulls, who are sitting in fifth place, will be wanting to snap their three-game losing streak.
Smith was under no illusions how tough they could be.
"They’re a good team. They use the ball really well and move teams around," Smith said.
"Defensively, we’re going to have to make sure that we’re working really hard for each other and ... we’re going to have to take our opportunities when they’re on.
"And, obviously, we looked at last weekend and it all starts with making sure that we nail breakdown area. That’ll be what we’re looking to do."
National Provincial Championship
Forsyth Barr Stadium
Saturday 7.05pm
Otago: Sam Gilbert, Josh Whaanga, Jake Te Hiwi, Jack Leslie, Jona Nareki, Ajay Faleafaga, James Arscott, Christian Lio-Willie, Sean Withy, Tom Sanders, Josh Dickson, Will Tucker, Saula Ma’u, Henry Bell, Rohan Wingham.
Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Abraham Pole, Jermaine Ainsley, Fabian Holland, Sam Fischli, Kieran McClea, Finn Hurley, John Tapueluelu.
Taranaki: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Daniel Rona, Meihana Grindlay, Kini Naholo, Stephen Perofeta, Logan Crowley, Kaylum Boshier, Tom Florence, Pita Gus Sowakula, Tom Franklin, Jesse Parete, Reuben O’Neill, Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit.
Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Donald Brighouse, Michael Bent, Fiti Sa, Michael Loft, Adam Lennox, Josh Jacomb, Brayton Northcott-Hill
